In an exclusive interview on Euronews' Europe Today, Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard delivered a stark assessment of Russia's intentions regarding the war in Ukraine. "Russia is not really interested in peace," she asserted, urging European capitals to maintain and intensify pressure on the Kremlin rather than pursuing premature negotiations.
Malmer Stenegard dismissed speculation about possible mediators between Moscow and Kyiv, including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. The minister emphasized that the immediate priority must be to alter Russia's strategic calculus through sustained sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. Her comments come just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a subdued Victory Day parade in Moscow, suggested that the conflict might be nearing an end—a claim she categorically rejected as a tactical maneuver.
EU Ministers to Discuss Sanctions and Support
On Monday, European Union foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels to address both Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the escalating crisis in the Middle East. A key agenda item is expanding the EU's blacklist of Russian officials implicated in the forced deportation and illegal adoption of Ukrainian children. This aligns with broader efforts to hold Moscow accountable for war crimes, as reported in our coverage of EU targets on Russian officials.
Malmer Stenegard acknowledged that, eventually, the EU will need to engage in dialogue with Moscow, but stressed that the current focus should remain on changing the Kremlin's cost-benefit analysis. "They are trying different manoeuvres, but we need to keep our focus where it needs to be, and that is on increasing the pressure on Russia and increasing the support for Ukraine," she said.
A Shift in Brussels' Atmosphere
The Swedish foreign minister also noted a palpable change in the mood among EU ministers following the arrival of Hungary's new government under Prime Minister Péter Magyar. "There are a lot more smiles in the room nowadays," she remarked, suggesting that Europe now has "better possibilities" to act more swiftly and decisively on key geopolitical issues—particularly support for Ukraine. This shift could prove crucial as the bloc navigates internal divisions over direct talks with Russia, a topic explored in our analysis of EU divisions on peace talks.
On the Middle East, Malmer Stenegard expressed support for increasing pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and rising violence in the occupied West Bank. She called on the EU to impose sanctions not only on violent Israeli settlers but also on "extremist ministers in the Israeli government." A senior diplomat echoed this sentiment, stating, "We hope we can get the settlers over the finish line. It's been long overdue."
The interview underscores a broader European consensus that Russia's actions—including recent drone attacks on civilian areas in Kharkiv, as detailed in our report on the Kharkiv strikes—demonstrate a lack of genuine interest in ending the war. As EU ministers prepare for their Monday talks, Malmer Stenegard's message is clear: Europe must remain united and resolute in its support for Ukraine, even as Moscow attempts to sow division.
